Absu – Tara

Don't bother with this (and probably the 1st edition retail release as well), disc has DRM-cancer. You may bypass it, of course (EAC burst mode, for instance), but you'll never get a truly perfect rip, at least not on any drives I tested on. Expect issues on regular CD players also.

On my copy labels for Absu Tara Alternate Mix December 3, 2000) and Absu - Tara (Pre-Production July 7, 2000 are mixed up in places. If anybody has the same problem?

Looks more clear/smoke. Not a deal breaker, perfect playing records.

I don't want to fall into hyperbole too much, but this is the best metal album from the US since Winter "Into Darkness" crawled out of its mental institution in 1990.

Slayer's "Reign In Blood" might be a better comparison though, as the similarities are numerous; from the acrobatic drumming (before Dave Lombardo returned to Slayer, Proscriptor was actually set to become his replacement) to the razorsharp precision riffs to the glorious oldschool infectious speed/thrash feel. Absu also share with Slayer the ability to strucure the savage violence and adrenaline into naturally flowing songs, which actually is a rare ability in the genre where awkwardly structured "riff salads" are the norm. Where Abso go beyond Slayer however, is in the fury factor - the songs move at ludicrous speeds yet feel totally controlled.

"Tara" feels like the culmination of fifteen years of metal, applying the innovations of Slayer, Destruction, Mayhem, Immortal and Impiety into something that transcends singular definitions of thrash/black/heavy metal - it is simply "Metal". On previous albums Absu occasionally hinted at being this good. This is delivery.